The number of homes sold rose just 0.6 percent, from 790 in the first three months of 2012 to 795 in the same period this year.

The inventory of available residential property fell 15 percent, from 2,636 single-family listings at the end of March 2012 to 2,240 at the end of last month.

Patrick S. Nolan, a Realtor who owns five Century 21 offices in Greater Springfield, said rising demand and tight supplies of salable homes will lead before long to year-over-year double-digit price increases.

"I think that hesitation to enter the real estate market is starting to cease," Nolan, who will be president of the local realtors group in 2014, said Wednesday. "People aren't as worried about having a job. People are starting to move forward. It might even turn in to a seller's market."

Corinne Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald Real Estate in Greenfield said supply is tight because the wave of forecloses has crested and fewer bank-owned properties have flooded the market. New construction, normally not a big part of the local real estate market anyway, slowed to a crawl during the recession

"And places have sold.," Fitzgerald said. "I think sellers are just now getting comfortable putting places on the market.It takes a while for people to really hear the message that the market is improving,” Fitzgerald said.

Nolan said many homeowners have been unable to sell because they bought at the top of the market and consequently owe more than their home is worth.

"They can't sell unless if they take a loss," he said.

Fitzgerald said sellers can expect a fair shake in this market instead of being a t the mercy of tight-fisted buyers.

“I have not seen a market quite like this where it is pretty good on both sides,” she said. “It’s good for sellers because there is less competition for buyers. It is good for buyers because interest rates are still low.”

A 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 3.75 percent for the week of March 28, according to FreddieMac.com. That's compared with an average of 3.99 percent interest a year ago.

Nolan said those low interest rates are luring many "move-up" buyers to sell their homes and buy something bigger or nicer thus increase the supply starter homes on the market.

But many homeowners have been unable to sell because they bought at the top of the market and consequently owe more than their home is worth.

"They can't sell unless if they take a loss," he said. "And for a lot of people, that just can't happen. but with these low rates, they can buy a bigger house and still have a lower monthly payment.

Homes also sold more quickly, the Realtor Association said. Average days on market feel from 170 accumulated days per home last year to 145 days for 2013.

Listings under agreement fell 12.9 percent , however, an indication that sames might falter in the coming months. There were 1,163 homes under agreement at the end of March 2012 and 1,013 at the end of March 2013. Nolan blamed that fall on a shortage of homes for sale.

Fitzgerald said expects more homes to come on the market in the next few months. Warm weather always makes it easier for people to make the minor repairs necessary before listing a home.

"We need to see some greenery," she said. "The flowers need to come up."

In Hampden County, the region's largest housing market, sales rose 7.2 percent, from 531 to 569. Median prices rose 7.2 percent from $146,000 to $156,500.

In Hampshire County, sales fell 3.5 percent, from 170 to 164. The median sales price rose from $229,950 to $230,000.

In Franklin County, sales fell 30.3 percent, from 89 homes to 62, reflecting the relatively small housing market in the mostly rural county. Median prices rose 10.8 percent from $162,000 to $179,500.